AFC CHAMPION LEAGUE WEEK 5 (LIVE REPORT, NEWS ETC)

[Tehranto]

Esteghlal advances officially.

Persepolis, advances unofficially.

[Tehranto]

I think Esteghlal have a legitimate chance to come out of West Asia. They were in the group of death and they look like the best team in the group.

[PersianLegion]

I think Esteghlal have a legitimate chance to come out of West Asia. They were in the group of death and they look like the best team in the group.

They were in group of death but Al Hilal players and club management were not as vigilant as they were last year. They sent their best players to Spain to be trained for WC 2018. I think Saudis don't give that much importance to ACL this year. They only sent two clubs to compete vs last year 4 clubs. SS played a lot better this year compared to last year.

[AIrani]

I think Esteghlal have a legitimate chance to come out of West Asia. They were in the group of death and they look like the best team in the group.

THANKS for the proper term of West Asia where Iran and other teams in Esteghlal's group are located.
West Asia is correct term. The term Middle East was invented in the 20th century when British in 1900, later America in 1930 came to our region to steal our natural resources and change governments. This term (Middle East) is bogus and must not be used by our people. Thanks again.

[naderb94]

We only need a draw to top the group. However, we should not go into that match playing for a draw.

The good thing is that Al Rayyan can also still advance if they beat Al Ain, plus Rayyan is playing at home.


Al Ain has so far been very lucky with all the pk's they have received, 2 totally wrong ones against Esteghlal and today they got 3 in one half against Al Hilal (don't know whether these ones were correct or not though, but still).

Even though I do not like Al Rayyan, I still hope they beat Al Ain next round and advance instead of them.

I am hoping for the best outcome but a draw won't be enough IF Al Ain managed to pull off a 3+ goal victory. They would top SS based off Goal Differential. Good news is Rayyan will go for the victory.

[Tehranto]

Brilliance of Schafer today was he started Farshad Esmaeili and Shojaeian upfront instead of Ghorbani, even though the former 2 are not strikers. The goal was going to come from a total team effort and not because of a target man - and that's exactly how it came about.

Huge drop off from Thiem to Ali Ghorbani/ Jaber Ansari and I am glad that Schafer elected to not go with the latter and instead put two good, dependable players.

[Amin_]

I am hoping for the best outcome but a draw won't be enough IF Al Ain managed to pull off a 3+ goal victory. They would top SS based off Goal Differential. Good news is Rayyan will go for the victory.

I'm pretty sure that it's not the GD but the head-to-head that counts if teams finish with the same amount of points.

We drew away 2-2 and 1-1 in Azadi against Al Ain, which means that on aggregate we are the winners. If we draw against Al Hilal in the last round, even if Al Ain would win 20-0 against Al Rayyan, we would still top the group.

[Amin_]

Esteghlal advances officially.

Persepolis, advances unofficially.

Head to head counts above GD, so PP is also officially through.

[sirvan]

Cheshmi impressed me as a DM today, i reckon he should start vs Morocco alongside Hajsafi

[Nokhodi]

Cheshmi impressed me as a DM today, i reckon he should start vs Morocco alongside Hajsafi

Did you watch the Tunisia game? He isn't ready for a decent opponent. Don't let the garbage AFC level fool you.

[sirvan]

Did you watch the Tunisia game? He isn't ready for a decent opponent. Don't let the garbage AFC level fool you.

He played as a central defender in that game, it's clear he is much better as a defensive midfielder. I hope he at least gets tested as a defensive midfielder in the next friendly match as we really need replacement for Ezatolahi in that match. At any rate i would select him for the world cup because he's versatile and physically strong, i also believe Noorafkhan should be in our final list, let's see what Quieroz has planned for us!

[Nokhodi]

He played as a central defender in that game, it's clear he is much better as a defensive midfielder. I hope het at least gets tested as a defensive midfielder in the next friendly match as we really need replacement for Ezatolahi in that match. At any rate i would select him for the world cup because he's verstatile and physically strong, i also believe Noorafkhan should be in our final list, let's see what Quieroz has planned for us!

He wasn't even physically strong. He couldn't handle the Syrian players either if you recall.
In Esteghlal he is made to look good by a system that suits him and teammates that cover his mistakes.

I really don't know why CQ doesn't try Abdollahzadeh, he was great in the games he played.

[Keano]

I hope Al Rayyan can knock them out. Seeing that overrated Omar Abdul Rahman aka Side Show Bob would be nice.

C'mon now, let's be fair and unbiased. He is not an overrated player for Asian standards!

I think Esteghlal have a legitimate chance to come out of West Asia. They were in the group of death and they look like the best team in the group.

Props to Esteghlal for having displaced awesome performances throughout the league thus far, making us all proud. However in all honesty prior to the league this group seemed like the GOD, however Al Hilal being a shadow of what they were changes that view. They become the beating dead horse of the group

THANKS for the proper term of West Asia where Iran and other teams in Esteghlal's group are located.
West Asia is correct term. The term Middle East was invented in the 20th century when British in 1900, later America in 1930 came to our region to steal our natural resources and change governments. This term (Middle East) is bogus and must not be used by our people. Thanks again.

West Asia is the term employed by the AFC for as long as I can remember. No one has ever referred to that region's football as "Middle East" it's always been referred to as "West Asia"

I'm pretty sure that it's not the GD but the head-to-head that counts if teams finish with the same amount of points.
We drew away 2-2 and 1-1 in Azadi against Al Ain, which means that on aggregate we are the winners. If we draw against Al Hilal in the last round, even if Al Ain would win 20-0 against Al Rayyan, we would still top the group.

Yes, you are correct, it's the Head-To-Head that counts, not goal aggregate

Head to head counts above GD, so PP is also officially through.

Ditto. Both teams are officially advanced to the next round. And in all honesty as much as I hate to admit this, but I see zero chance for TS and little chance for ZA to make it out of their group. I truly and sincerely hope I am proven wrong though!

[teammelli91]

Cheshmi did well today against a physically fit and ready Al Rayyan.

Again some of you don’t seem to understand that technique and fitness are two different things. The Arabs of Al Rayyan are very fit and in shape due to their professional coaches, trainers and high quality facilities they have at their disposal. The Qataris also have at least 3-4 decent foreigners who could hold their own in Europe.

My point is, yes Asian football is Asian football and nobody is comparing Asia with Europe. But let’s not forget that these teams aren’t completely crap either. Esteghlal doesn’t have everything at their disposal but their head coach and his staff brought this team back to life and players like Cheshmi have gotten fit and more than ready for Asian standards.

Also don’t act like we have 5-10 CBs and CMs in Europe. Cheshmi as chosen by Carlos Queiroz and there must be a reason he keeps getting the call.

[teammelli91]

Cheshmi, Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh, Barzay, Pahlevan, and Abdollahzadeh have all played together since the Team Melli youth days. Hint hint**

There must be a reason a head coach like Carlos Queiroz keeps calling up Roozbeh Cheshmi. Another factor to consider: chemistry.

I’m not saying chemistry is the only reason by the way.. before I get a “But but chemistry but isn’t everything!!”..


Ama yadesh bekheyr, what a team that U-19 was. I can’t bekieve Ali Choopani retired. He was very talented.